DIY Builds
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How much does it cost to build a 20x20 barn?

Cost to Build a Barn Per Square Foot Barn Dimensions in Feet (Length x Width) Average Cost Range 8x12 $1,920 – $14,400 12x20 $4,800 – $36,000 20x20 $8,000 – $60,000 30x36 $21,600 – $162,000 3 more rows •

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Metal Barns

Metal barns are the most affordable to build, ranging from $20 to $50 for materials. This style comes almost exclusively as a prefab or modular kit, which minimizes the total expense. As a result, you may not have as many options for customization.

Cost to Build a Wood Barn

Building a wood barn costs $20 to $100 per square foot, depending on type and construction. Simple styles like a pole barn run the least, while custom-built options are as much as $100 per square foot.

Timber Frame Barns

Timber frame barns cost $50 to $100 per square foot. They are the most expensive because they may be built to order, with high-end materials like solid wood.

Barn Construction Cost Breakdown

Material and labor are the two major cast factors when building a barn. Still, other factors come into play to influence pricing.

Labor

Prefab barns shipped to your home have no labor costs at all, but you’ll typically spend $5 to $10 per square foot for basic modular kit construction, if pieces need assembling. More complicated barn builds, like a post and beam barn construction, can cost as much as $50 per square foot. Labor costs might include multiple contractors, including plumbers, carpenters, electricians, and structural engineers:

Plumbers cost $45–$200 per hour .

Carpenters cost $13–$39 per hour .

Electricians cost $50–$100 per hour .

Structural engineers cost $100–$200 per hour.

You may even need additional contractors, like roofers, landscapers, and concrete pourers.

Foundation

Not every type of barn requires that a foundation be laid. If your barn requires a foundation before building can begin, expect to spend between $4 and $20 per square foot in foundation costs.

Roofing

If you are building a custom barn (not a modular unit that comes with a roof), you’ll need to factor in the cost of a metal roof, about $4 to $30 per square foot. Metal roofs are the preferred type of roof for barns, but you can work with a local roofer to understand what other roof types are viable for your project.

Permits

Another common barn construction cost factor is the permit. Most homeowners and landowners will need to obtain a construction permit to build a barn. The cost of a building permit ranges from $425 to $2,300.

Clearing Land

If you want to build a barn in an uncultivated section of your property, you will likely need to budget for the price to clear land, typically $100 to $1,125 for half an acre.

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